Hose-coupling



(No Model.) v

P. E. SHARON.

HOSE COUPLING.

Patented NW4, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. SHARON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

HOSE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,902, dated November 4, 1890.

Application filed February 19, 1890. Serial No. 341,046. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK E. SHARON, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hose-Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of saidinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

My invention relates to that class of hosecouplings known as union-couplings, and it is particularly applicable to fire-hose.

The object of my invention is to join the ends of hose-sections in such a manner as to make a perfectly Water-tight joint, and, fur ther, to provide means for readily and quickly interlocking the connecting-pieces, and thereby save time, trouble, and annoyance. I effect this double purpose by providing hosecouplings with a packing-ring of novel design, which will expand under water-pressure and take up all space that may intervene between the interlocking pieces, and by providing one of the half-couplings withlaterally-projecting lugs adapted to engage an inward flange on the union by giving the half-coupling or the union a quarter-revolution, the parts being held in place by spring-latches proceeding from the union and engaging notches in the half-coupling opposite.

Referring to the drawings herewith, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is an elevation of the coupling as it appears when locked; Fig. 2, a sectional elevation of the same, taken from the middle line of Fig. 1, looking toward the left; Fig. 3, a plan of the union and half-coupling connected therewith; Fig. 4, an inverted plan of the opposite halfcoupling; and Fig. 5, a side view, partly in section, of the packing-ring.

The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The letter A represents the union or sleeve, and B a half-coupling united thereto by a swivel-joint, as shown at Fig. 2, where it can be seen that an inward flange in the sleeve engages two outward flanges, respectively formed on the outer and inner cylinders composing the half-coupling B. C is the other half-coupling, which may be formed like B, as shown in Fig. 2, or cast in one piece, as preferred.

The ends of the hose-sections D D are secured to B and O by means of metallic rings E E, pressed into them in the usual manner.

Against the shoulder F, formed by the innermost flange of the half-coupling B, I place a packing-ring or washer G. This washer is made of rubber or other expansible material, and is composed of two flat parallel rings united by a concavo-convex web, the convex side of the web lying inwardly while the concave side faces an annular rib H, formed on the inner face of the sleeve A. The rib H will of course prevent the washer from slipping off if not fitted tightly, and besides helps to take up the empty space when the packing expands.

Upon the ends of the half-coupling O are formed laterally-projecting lugs I I, fitting into corresponding notches J J, cut into the upper inwardly-proj ecting flange of the union, when the half-couplings are brought together, or, more properly speaking, againt the opposite faces of the washer. Now by giving the sleeve A a quarter-revolution its upper flange will be turned over the lugs I, and the hosesections consequently linked together.

The connecting parts are secured in place by means of a spring-latch, which is better shown in Fig. 1. It is composed of a small pin K, fitted in a suitable hole in the side of the union, and confined therein by a thumbpiece L, screwed onto its smaller end. A spiral spring M, one end of which rests at the bottom of the hole and the other abuts against a shoulder formed by the enlarged end of K, pushes this pin into engagement with notches N, bored into the outer flange of the halfcoupling 0, when the connecting parts are brought together, and the sleeve given a quarter-turn, or thereabout, as above stated. I thus produce an interlocking arrangement, by means of which hose-sections may be instantaneously coupled and much valuable time saved, especially in case of afire, not to speak in hose'couplings, but none have proved entirely satisfactory, as they do not possess enough expansibility to answer under all circumstances.

,The upper flange of iheunion and thelugs of the half-coupling engaging it are subjected to considerable friction and Wear, and the ordinary washers, although they may effect a good joint when the parts are new, soon fail to take up all the space left between the ends of the half-couplings. The result is that the water flows out freely at the points of juncture and very often causes irreparable damage to the goods over which the hose is drawn. I obviate this entirely by making the packing in the shape illustrated, for as the water rushes through the coupling it will not w only spread apart the inner edges of my washer, but it will press against the convex side of the web, uniting its fiat rings, and thereby expand the whole packing to such an extent that a perfectly water-tight joint will always be insured.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A hose-coupling comprising a union, an annular rib formed therein, and a washer composed of parallel flat rings united by a concavo-convex web the concave side of said web facing said rib, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

' coupling also provided at its lower end with opposite diametrically-arranged lugs adapted to register with'the diametrically-opposite notches of the union, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. SHARON. Iii-presence of- S. R. HACKLEY, A. H. STE. MARIE. 

